GENERAL QUESTIONS

How much does it cost?

The event is free to attend. There is no entrance fee for participants, but teams that register commit to raising at least $1,000 through individual donations and group fundraisers (bake sales, yard sales, etc.). Teams that don’t raise at least $1,000 are not guaranteed an opportunity to pull the fire truck at the event.

If I don’t want to pull a fire truck, can I watch?

Yes! Watch the teams compete, cheer them on, and enjoy the many other activities we have planned that day.

What else is going on?

You can check out the Glebe Pumpkin Derby and Lansdowne Farmers Market or get your photo taken in fire fighter gear. There will also be a temporary tattoo booth, face painting, trivia games and more. Check out our Activities page for the latest updates.

Where do the donations go?

100% of the proceeds will go to Epilepsy Ottawa to support epilepsy services in our community. About 1 in 100 people have epilepsy, but many don’t talk about it due to social stigma and discrimination. Find out more here.

Will donors receive charitable tax receipts?

Donations of $10 or more are eligible for charitable tax receipts. Tax receipts are automatically issued for donations made online. Teams and Teammates who collect cash or cheque donations must track donors’ full names, mailing addresses, and the amount of the donation on the Donation Form in the Registration Kit and submit this completed form along with the donations during Team Check-in at the event in order for the donor to receive a tax receipt.

For donations by cheque, what name should be on the cheque?

Please make cheques payable to Epilepsy Ottawa.

How do I donate online to the charity, a team, or a participant?

OPTION 1 – with a URL

- Follow that URL to the Team Fundraising Page or Participant Fundraising Page

- Scroll down to the “Donate to Ottawa Fire Truck Pull” section, fill out the form, and follow the instructions

- Click on the “Continue with My Donation” button and follow the instructions.

- Scroll down to the “Donate to Ottawa Fire Truck Pull” section, fill out the form, and follow the instructions to complete your donation.

If you want to donate to a specific team or participant and you don’t have a URL to their specific page, you can do any of the following:

Select the Team and Participant in the options provide in the “Donate to Ottawa Fire Truck Pull” section.

Search for the team or participant on this page through the “Search for Team or Participant” button.

Click on the “View All” link in the “Top Team” and “Top Fundraiser” sections.

LOGISTICS

Where is the Ottawa Fire Truck Pull?

The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull is at Lansdowne Park (452 Queen Elizabeth Drive) East Court, on the eastern side of the Aberdeen Pavilion.

How can I get there?

Lansdowne Park is at the south end of the Glebe neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario. You can bike, walk, drive, or take a bus to Lansdowne Park. As parking is limited and there will be multiple events taking place, we recommend carpooling, walking, biking, or using public transportation when possible.

Bike or Walk: You may choose to bike or walk the paths along the canal or through the Glebe. There are over 600 bike parking spots at Lansdowne Park.

OC Transpo: The #6 and #7 buses along Bank Street stop near Lansdowne Park at Exhibition Way. You can map your route using the OC Transpo’s Travel Planner.

Driving: Lansdowne Park is easily accessible from downtown or the Queensway. You can map your route using Google Maps.

Where can I park?

There may be street parking available around Lansdowne Park, along Bank Street, or in the neighbouring side streets. Metered parking in this neighbourhood is free on Sundays.

There is paid underground parking at Lansdowne with two entrances:

Under TD Place near the Bank Street and Exhibition Way intersection

Off Queen Elizabeth Drive south of Fifth Avenue

Please note that parking near Lansdowne Park is limited. Arriving early and carpooling are recommended.

What if it rains?

The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull will go on rain, snow, or shine. Don’t worry about the cold, you can always step inside Aberdeen Pavilion to warm up and dry off if needed.

TEAMS

Who can enter a team?

Anyone with up to 9 team-mates (so there are 10 of you total) 13 years old and above can enter a team.

Submitting Team Contact Information (as detailed in the Registration Kit) to info@ottawafiretruckpull.com within 2 weeks of registration, or by October 19, 2018, whichever comes first.

Managing the team fundraising page, including updating totals from group fundraising efforts and cash or cheque donations made to any teammate that doesn’t have a Personal Fundraising Page.

Ensuring all teammates receive a Waiver Form and a Donation Form from the Registration Kit.

Can my company enter a team?

Yes, we encourage company teams. The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull is an excellent team building experience for any group of colleagues. You can approach fundraising collaboratively (e.g. team bake sales) or competitively (e.g. which individual can raise the most funds), and in the end the team will pull together as one to compete with other teams for fastest pull, most funds raised, and most team spirit.

If your company has multiple locations, consider entering a team from each location and having a mini-competition against each other. We can help you promote your friendly rivalry on social media and on event day.

What are the benefits to my company matching the funds raised by the team we enter?

A company can become a “Team Sponsor” by matching funds the team raises. Teams are committing to raise at least $1,000 which means that a team sponsor commits to at least $1,000. This partnership benefits include a table at the event, recognition in event day promotional material, verbal recognition by the MC, brand recognition in numerous locations leading up to and including the event, and social media mentions.

8-10 people is the ideal number of people on a team, but we will accept smaller teams. No matter how small the team, you are committing to raise at least $1,000 to guarantee your opportunity to pull a fire truck. A smaller team may lower your chances of winning the “Fastest Pull” Award but raise your chances of winning the award for Most Funds Raised per Teammate.

What if I have more than 10 people on my team?

Only 10 people can pull the fire truck. Additional teammates can cheer you on as part of the “team spirit” competition or you can consider breaking into 2 or more teams.

What if my team doesn’t reach the $1,000 minimum?

Teams that don’t raise at least $1,000 are not guaranteed an opportunity to pull a fire truck at the event. If your team is struggling to raise $1,000, contact us for advice.

How do I find my fundraising page? (for Team Captains and any Teammate with a Personal Fundraising Page)

There are several ways to find your page:

OPTION 1. Save the email confirming that your page is live and use the link in that email to find your page.

OPTION 2. Save the shortened URL to your fundraising page. (See the Managing Your Page section for instructions on how to find the shortened URL)

- Invite teammates who want to set up their own Personal Fundraising Page (Team Members tab)

- Track donations made online or offline (Donations tab).

How do I register offline donations on the fundraising pages? (cash, cheques, and group fundraisers)

The Team Captain can add offline donations to the team total and teammates with Personal Fundraising Pages can add offline donations to their personal total. Any donations added to a Personal Fundraising Page will automatically be added to the Team Fundraising Total.

- Go to the “Donations” tab when managing your Personal Fundraising Page or Team Fundraising Page